MORE than 400 instances of alcohol-related violent crimes were recorded in the borough in the last financial year.

In the same period 400 men and 267 women from Ellesmere Port & Neston ended up in hospital with health problems related to booze.

The shocking statistics are revealed in a report from the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University.

The Regional Alcohol Indicators, the first batch of which covers the North West, have been developed to help councils, health authorities and other organisations get a better understanding of how alcohol is affecting residents and services and how solutions can be developed.

Figures show in 2004/5, 476 alcohol-related violent crimes took place in Ellesmere Port & Neston, a rate of 5.87 per thousand of local population.

However, this was lower than the North West rate of 7.79.

The report also reveals that 400 men, or 9.35 per thousand of population, were admitted to hospital with alcohol-related problems in 2004/05. This was also lower than the regional figure of 10.91.

The number of women admitted was 267 (5.01 per thousand), which again was lower than the North West rate of six per thousand).

Experts estimate the number of months over indulgence in drink cuts from local people's lives was 9.64 for men and 3.32 for women.

Comparable figures for the region are 10.59 for men and 6.10 for women.

Professor Mark A Bellis, director of the Centre for Public Health and co-author of the report, said: 'These statistics uncover just part of the devastation caused by badly managed drinking venues, under-age alcohol sales, and an attitude among some individuals that drinking to near unconsciousness and alcohol-related violence are acceptable.

'The North West is a leading region in developing solutions to the problems caused by alcohol consumption.

'We believe these regional indicators will be another key development that improves our understanding of what else needs to be done to tackle alcohol misuse.'

Professor John Ashton, regional director of public health, said: 'The bad news is that this report confirms what many of us have suspected for some time. Namely alcohol abuse is blighting the lives of many people in the North West and the problem is getting worse.

'The good news is this report helps us to understand better what is going on. There is no excuse for local authorities, the health service, employers and many others not now tackling this problem with vigour.'

Lee Le Clercq, regional secretary for the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed the publication of the figures. He said: 'Unlike tobacco, alcohol can be consumed safely. We want customers to enjoy themselves, but we also urge them to respect themselves and drink sensibly.'